Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch talks to pitcher Gerrit Cole and bullpen catcher Javier Bracamonte at Fitteam Ballpark of The Palm Beaches on Day 1 of spring training on ... more

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

Opening-Day excitement never gets old for Astros manager A.J. Hinch

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Astros would have rather opened their 2019 season in downtown Houston.

And, yes, playing Game 1 of 162 inside the worst stadium in Major League Baseball isn't an ideal Opening Day national showcase for a club that won a franchise-record 103 games last year.

But the Thursday's early games were broadcast on clubhouse TVs. Josh Reddick asked what time Tampa Bay's opening ceremonies were. Justin Verlander walked a calm room with laser focus. And A.J. Hinch's fifth season opener for the Astros still felt special.